Overview

Details

These challenge exams will be scheduled throughout Virginia. You will have a maximum of 3 hours to complete the exam. The exam is closed book and no reference material is allowed in the examination room. The Virginia Watercraft Owner's Guide and other boating materials, such as Chapman's, are suggested as study material.

Registration

You must register at least three (3) days prior to the exam date. Walk-ins will not be allowed to take the exam. Exam proctors will only have enough exams on hand for those who have registered in advance.

Virginia DGIF

Boating Safety Education Classroom Course

Overview

This course is recommended for motivated students 12 years of age and older with good reading and comprehension skills who want to learn more about the fundamentals of safe and responsible boating. Course materials are on a 6th grade reading level.

Details

A typical Boater Education Course lasts 6-8 hours with exam time depending on the class location and instructor.

Who Needs Boater Education?

In 2007, the Virginia General Assembly enacted a law to establish a boating safety education compliance requirement. This requirement has been phased in over the past several years; and by July 1, 2016, all operators (regardless of age) of PWCs (personal watercraft such as jet skis, Sea Doos, and Wave Runners) and operators (regardless of age) of motorboats with a motor of 10 horsepower or greater will be required to have a boating safety education course completion card on board when operating a PWC or motorboat.

Boating Safety Outreach & Workshops

Virginia DGIF

Basic Hunter Education Course

The Basic Hunter Education Course covers material on hunting safety, principles of conservation and sportsmanship. Students are required to complete the self-study prior to class and will have to turn in the chapter review exercises from the self-study to the instructor at the beginning of class and they may be turned away if the chapter review exercises are not completed. For more information about the self-study and to obtain the study material, click this link.

Details

There is usually no charge for these classes, which are required for 12- to 15-year-old license buyers, as well as for anyone purchasing a hunting license for the first time.

Replacement Cards

Please visit http://www.ilostmycard.com or call 1-800-830-2268 Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except holidays) for replacement certification cards. There is a $10 fee for replacement cards. You will be requested to provide the following information: your full name, date of birth, approximate date (year or month/year) of class, and current mailing address. If your attendance can be verified, a duplicate card will be issued.

Additional Information

The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries shall afford to all persons an equal access to Department programs and facilities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sex or age. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility, please write: Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, ATTN: Compliance Officer, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Richmond, Virginia 23228.

This program may receive Federal financial assistance in Sport Fish and/or Wildlife Restoration. Under Title VI of the I 964 Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, The U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program activity or facility as described above, or if you desire further information please write to:

Virginia DGIF

Bowhunter Education Course (IBEP)

Overview

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries supports the International Bowhunter Education Program (IBEP), a bowhunter education course developed by the National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF).

Details

In Virginia, Bowhunter Education is not required to obtain an archery license. However, the International Bowhunter Education Program (IBEP) class provides an excellent opportunity to learn ethical techniques for hunting with archery equipment. Some states, localities, and military facilities require this course.

This training does not meet the requirement for certification in Hunter Education.

Replacement Cards

Please visit http://www.ilostmycard.com or call 1-800-830-2268 Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except holidays) for replacement certification cards. There is a $10 fee for replacement cards. You will be requested to provide the following information: your full name, date of birth, approximate date (year or month/year) of class, and current mailing address. If your attendance can be verified, a duplicate card will be issued.

Volunteer Instructors

Hunting, bowhunting, and trapping courses in Virginia are taught primarily by trained volunteer instructors. If you are interested in becoming an instructor, please contact us through the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website at http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/education/.

Additional Information

The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries shall afford to all persons an equal access to Department programs and facilities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sex or age. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility, please write: Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, ATTN: Compliance Officer, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Richmond, Virginia 23228.

This program may receive Federal financial assistance in Sport Fish and/or Wildlife Restoration. Under Title VI of the I 964 Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, The U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program activity or facility as described above, or if you desire further information please write to:

Trapper Education Course (VTA)

Overview

Details

This course is not required in order to buy a trapping license in Virginia. However, it is an excellent introduction to the safe and ethical use of trapping techniques.

This training does not meet the requirement for certification in Hunter Education.

Replacement Cards

Please call 1-866-721-6911 Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except holidays) for replacement certification cards. There is a $10 fee for replacement cards. You will be requested to provide the following information: your full name, date of birth, approximate date (year or month/year) of class, and current mailing address. If your attendance can be verified, a duplicate card will be issued.

Volunteer Instructors

Hunting, bowhunting, and trapping courses in Virginia are taught primarily by trained volunteer instructors. If you are interested in becoming an instructor, please contact us through the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website at http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/education/.

Additional Information

The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries shall afford to all persons an equal access to Department programs and facilities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sex or age. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility, please write: Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, ATTN: Compliance Officer, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Richmond, Virginia 23228.

This program may receive Federal financial assistance in Sport Fish and/or Wildlife Restoration. Under Title VI of the I 964 Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, The U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program activity or facility as described above, or if you desire further information please write to:

Overview

Details

Most workshops are coordinated by volunteer Hunter Education Course instructors and involve an actual hunting experience.

Classes, such as wild game processing and outdoor skills, may be offered by volunteer Hunter Education Course instructors.

This training does not meet the requirement for certification in Hunter Education.

Volunteer Instructors

Hunting, bowhunting, and trapping courses in Virginia are taught primarily by trained volunteer instructors. If you are interested in becoming an instructor, please contact us through the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website at http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/education/.

Additional Information

The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries shall afford to all persons an equal access to Department programs and facilities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sex or age. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility, please write: Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, ATTN: Compliance Officer, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Richmond, Virginia 23228.

This program may receive Federal financial assistance in Sport Fish and/or Wildlife Restoration. Under Title VI of the I 964 Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, The U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program activity or facility as described above, or if you desire further information please write to: